Postdoctoral fellowship: Glaciology / Fluid Mechanics / Solid Mechanics
Advisor: Alan Rempel, University of Oregon (http://pages.uoregon.edu/rempel)
Location: Dept. of Earth Sciences (formerly Geological Sciences), University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon
Duration: up to 30 months
Topic: Multi-scale models of thermo-mechanical feedbacks on a soft, wet bed
Description: Glacier sliding speeds and the discharge rates of the ice streams and outlet glaciers that drain Earth’s major ice sheets are regulated by conditions at their beds. Water pressures close to flotation reduce the resistance to frictional sliding and bring the effective stress supported by sediment particle contacts to within the range typical of the upper few meters of soil in subaerial environments. Long-established, experimentally supported thermo-mechanical treatments of ice–water–sediment interactions under such conditions have only recently been applied to the subglacial environment. Further work is needed to fully integrate this understanding and its implications into descriptions of glacier sliding and landscape development. This proposal targets a selection of model problems aimed at elucidating the thermo-mechanical constraints on behavior near transitions in basal properties, rigorously accounting for the effects of heterogeneities across the range of scales relevant to modern observations. With the intuition gained from focussed studies on carefully selected systems, the ultimate goal is to develop strategies for parameterizing the model predictions so that they can be incorporated in large-scale simulations of glacier and ice sheet dynamics.
Qualifications: We need a postdoctoral researcher with strong quantitative skills and good physical intuition to contribute towards modeling and validation efforts. The successful applicant must have a PhD (by the start date) with a background in glaciology, applied mathematics, mechanics, or a related discipline. Previous experience with numerical modeling packages (e.g. MATLAB or Python and/or COMSOL) is required. Familiarity with aspects of glacial geomorphology and ice physics would be an asset, but is not expected. Applicants should be on their way to establishing an excellent record of independent research and clarity in written and spoken communication. Opportunities are anticipated to collaborate with other continuing and incoming departmental postdocs, whose areas of related expertise center around ice-ocean interactions, landscape evolution, fluvial geomorphology, and fault mechanics.
To apply: Please send 1) a cover letter including a brief statement describing your research background in the context of this project, 2) a curriculum vitae, and 3) have at least two references email a letter of support to Alan Rempel (rempel at uoregon.edu <mailto:rempel at uoregon.edu>). Review of applicants will begin immediately, and continue until the position is filled. The successful applicant will be able to start as early as Fall 2016, but Winter 2017 is preferred. The position is initially for one-year and includes support for conference travel and publications, with continued support contingent on adequate progress.
The setting: Located 110 miles south of Portland, the University of Oregon has an enrollment of over 25,000 students. The Eugene metro area (pop. 215,000) is in a region noted for its dynamic quality of life and progressive cultural environment. We are about an hour's drive from both the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains. The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Candidates who promote and enhance diversity are strongly desired. For more information, contact Professor Alan Rempel (http://pages.uoregon.edu/rempel/).